Apparatus for making su lfu ric acid



(No Model.)

- P. S. GILOHRIST.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING SULEURIG ACID.

Patented Oct. 16,1894.

ATTORNEYS,

n4: News PETERS moi'oumo UNTTED STATES PATENT mes.

PETER S. GILOHRIST, OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA.

APPARATUS FOR' MAKING SULFURIC SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 527,680, dated October 16, 1894. Application filed March 30,1894. Serial No. 505,693. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER S. GILOHRIST, of Charleston, in the county ofCharleston and State of South Carolina, haveinvented a new and ImprovedApparatus for Making Sulfuric Acid, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of apparatus which isused in the manufacture of sulphuric acid, and my invention is animprovement on the apparatus shown in Letters Patent of the UnitedStates,

-No. 503,847, dated August 22, 1893.

My invention relates particularly to the construction of the columns orcases between the several lead chambers of a sulphuricacid apparatus;and the object of my invention is to construct thesecolumns or cases insuch a way that they may expand freely without breaking or buckling thelead composing them; and a further object of my invention is to improvethe construction of cross air pipes which are arranged in the column, tothe end that the pipes may be exceptionally strong, that they may causea very thorough mingling of the gases which pass through the column,that they may collect weak acid, which coming into contact with thenitrosulphuric acid formed on the surfaces of the pipes, decomposes thesaid acid and for these reasons the process of acid manufacture may begreatly promoted, and consequently cheapened.

To these ends, my invention consists of certain features of constructionand combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter described andclaimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar figures of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a vertical cross section of one of the improved columnsembodying my invention, showing its connection with adjacent leadchambers. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail cross section of one of the airpipes which are arranged in the column. Fig. 3 is a cross section ofanother form of the pipe. Fig. 4 illustrates a cross section of anothermodification of the pipe. Fig. 5 shows still another modificationthereof; and Fig. 6 is a' broken detail elevation, showing the manner inwhich the column or case is supported on the sides.

The several lead chamberslO of the apparatus are arranged in the usualway between the Glover and Gay-Lussac towers, and between every twochambers is arranged a column or case 11, which is preferably of leadand which communicates with one chamber at the bottom, as shown at 12,and with another at the top, as shown at 13, so that there is a passagefor gasesthrough the column in the direction indicated by the arrows inFig. 1. The case or column 11 partly rests on the floor or base, and inaddition thereto'is supported by means of side straps or lugs 14 whichengage the supporting frame 15, and the lower portion of this frame ismounted on springs 16 which are preferably spiral springs, as shown, andwhich are supported on posts or equivalent supports 17. This arrangementpermits the case or column to expand vertically, while the frame 15follows the movements of the column, as when the latter expands, thesprings are compressed.

The case or column is traversed by numerous air pipes 18 which arearranged, as illustrated in the former patent referred to, so that coolair may be forced through them, but these pipes instead of being smoothas in the patent referred to, are provided with numerous corrugations 19on their sides, which corrugations are preferably parallel although as abasin, in which collects weak acid; This coming in contact with thenitrosulphuric acid condensed on'the surfaces of the pipes,

promotes a rapid formation of sulphuric acid.

By providing the pipes with corrugations, their outer surface, whichacts as a condensing surface for the gases, is greatly increased incomparison with that of a smooth pipe of the same diameter. Furthermore,the ribs of the said corrugations form ledges obstructing the gases intheir passage, and the depressions between the ribs form trays to retainmoisture or the weak acid above referred to. It will be understood thatthis weak acid or moisture is introduced into the column in any suitablemanner, for instance by admitting the Weak acid through a distributer onthe top of the column, or by injecting steam into the column along withthe gases. It will be obvious that a smooth surfaced pipe has noreceptacles or pockets for holding such acid or moisture, nor does itpresent any one of the above enumerated advantages.

Instead of making the pipes triangular in cross section,a round pipe 23may be used, or an oval pipe 23, but each pipe, whatever its form, isprovided with a longitudinal rib 22 which may be placed at either thetop or bottom of the pipe and which serves to prevent the pipe fromsagging. This is an important feature of the invention, as the pipes areof lead and consequently soft.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent-- 7 1. In an apparatus for the manufacture ofsulphuric acid substantially as described, an air pipe adapted to retardthe flow downward and provided in its upper surface with a depression orrecess adapted to receive and accumulate the weak acid, substantially asand for the purposes set forth.

2. In an apparatus for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, an air pipeprovided in its upper side with adepression or recess for theaccumulation of weak acid and along its sides with longitudinal ribs orcorrugations by which to retard the passage of such weak acid along suchsides, and so prolong the period of exposure of such acid to the gaspassedin contact with such pipe, substantially as set forth.

3. In an apparatus for manufacturing sulphuric acid a column or caseprovided with a series of transverse air pipes having in their uppersides depressions or recesses forming pockets in which weak acid isaccumulated, the said pipes being alternated sub stantially as describedand shown whereby the gases inpassing through the series is directedinto close contact with the pockets in the tops of the pipes,substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with the case or column, of the transverse air pipestherein having roughened surfaces and relatively large longitudinalcorrugations on top, substantially as described.

PETER S. GILCI-IRIS'I.

\Vitnesses:

PERCY W. THOMPSON, E. 1. TOOMER.

